2019 Travel Bucket List

We’ve found the top destinations to visit in 2019 - from stunning beach escapes and adventure capitals to must-see foodie cities hiding in plain sight. Make it your year to travel and plan your visit to these 12 bucket list destinations.

Peruvian women, The Sacred Valley, Peru Credit - hadynyah

The view from the road driving into Amalfi on the Amalfi Coastline, Italy Credit - Vicki Jauron

Foodie favourites

Launceston, Australia

Love food, art, design and nature? Then you’ll love Launceston. Surrounded by rolling hills and ancient, fern-wreathed oak trees, this boutique river city located at the head of the pristine Tamar Valley has all you need for the perfect getaway whatever the occasion. With a thriving food and wine scene set amongst elegant Georgian streetscapes, it’s pretty easy to feast all day. And when you need to work it all off head out for a hike at Cataract Gorge, or enjoy a little devil worship at Trowunna Wildlife Park.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

With sunshine, sea breezes and limoncello, it’s easy to live la dolce vita on the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Start on a boat trip to explore the incredible Italian coastline, rent one of the colour-coded sunbeds at a lido, and visit the glamorous island of Capri. Explore the region’s decadent old-world churches and palazzos, dine at cliff-perched restaurants, swim, or just bask in extraordinary vistas over the Mediterranean. There’s no doubt about it, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacularly beautiful places on earth.

Adelaide, Australia

Want to try some of Australia’s best food and wine? Then add Adelaide to your list. With its festivals, beaches, a thriving small bar scene and attractions like the Barossa Valley, the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island close by, the City of Churches is now ideal for a weekend away or longer. Uncover its laneway secrets, marvel at the stunning flora in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, find delicious treats at Adelaide Central Market, visit Glenelg and then taste your way through wineries in the picturesque Adelaide Hills.

City greats

Auckland, New Zealand

Rich in culture and natural beauty, the harbour city of Auckland is rated the world’s third most liveable city. And it’s easy to see why. Whether you take in the views from Mount Wellington, climb the iconic Sky Tower, sample local wine, or explore the breathtaking landscapes of Waiheke Island, Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island, you’re never more than 30 minutes away from something spectacular in Auckland.

Osaka, Japan

With its rambunctious atmosphere and bright neon lights, Osaka is the quirky and fun-loving, third-largest city of Japan. It’s also Japan’s best destination for dining – tuck into street eats like stuffed omelette pancakes, yakitori or udon noodle bars. Experience Japan’s fascinating history with a trip to the spectacular 16th century Osaka Castle, a five-layer traditional donjon. You’ll love every moment in Osaka.

Beijing, China

Imagine exploring the famed Forbidden City, cruising down the magnificent Yangtze River, coming face-to-face with a giant panda, hiking and taking in the scenery from the Great Wall of China, feasting on Peking Duck or seeing the vibrant neighbourhoods and glittering skyscrapers of Beijing. With the perfect mix of ancient culture and modern technology – there’s so much to see and do in China.

Big adventures

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pristine beaches, friendly locals, herds of elephants, ancient ruins, fabulous tea and delicious food make Sri Lanka an absolute must. There aren’t many places with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in such close proximity. In just one day you can see the world’s oldest living human-planted tree at Anuradhapura and then see the largest Asian elephant gathering on the planet at Minneriya. If it's beaches and sur you are after, the beaches won't disappoint. Whatever you do, Sri Lanka is incredible, so you’d better discover it before everyone else does.

Lima, Peru

Known as the ‘City of Kings’, Lima is one of Latin America's most vibrant cities. No longer just a flight connection for travellers headed to Machu Picchu, this exciting oceanfront metropolis offers a thriving gastronomic scene, heady nightlife, colonial-era splendour and historical highlights like pre-Columbian pyramids. Take in the coastal views and stroll through the colourful Parque del or sample some local ceviche washed down with a pisco sour. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a beach lover or an art history buff, the timing’s never been better to visit Lima.

Montana, USA

Giddy up cowboy. If you’ve ever dreamed of riding off into the sunset, there’s no better place than Montana in the USA. Known as Big Sky Country, Montana has almost every outdoor adventure possible with camping, fishing, rafting, hiking, skiing, horse riding, rock climbing and even dog sledding available. Explore the iconic Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, stop by the charming town of Missoula, learn about Native American culture, enjoy starry nights in a cabin or hire a car and enjoy a classic American road trip through the spectacular Wild West.

Beach escapes

Maldives

Ever wanted to find heaven on earth? With unrivalled barefoot luxury, vivid sea life, bright turquoise waters and whiter than white sand, the Maldives is the closest thing to paradise you’ll find. Jump into some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world and marvel at the dazzling coral, amazing caves and schools of brightly coloured tropical fish as manta rays, turtles and even whale sharks swim by. There is even a beach in the Baa Atoll that glows in the dark at certain times of the year thanks to the bioluminescent plankton. Yes, this place is certainly magical.

Hvar, Croatia

Rising up out of the Adriatic Sea, sun-drenched Hvar is full of palm trees and shuttered Dalmatian buildings overlooking the harbour and the idyllic Pakleni Islands. Located just 40km from Split, Hvar is famed for its lavender fields, nightlife and delicious local food and wine. A standout is the incredible Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which shows the cultivation pattern of olive trees from ancient Greek colonists some 2,500 years ago. Whether you spend lazy days beach hopping and snorkelling around the islands, wine tasting or just snoozing in a hammock, this gorgeous island is a must on your next European adventure.

Broome, Australia

Discover a land before time in Broome. With ancient dinosaur footprints, rich red earth, bright turquoise waters and the fascinating Aboriginal culture, this is a place where you not only see the land, but you feel it too. Watch the camel train along Cable Beach, marvel at the wondrous Staircase to the Moon, visit a working pearl farm, see rare snubfin dolphins frolic in Roebuck Bay or discover the remote coastal wilderness of the Dampier Peninsula, Cape Leveque or the rugged red gorges of The Kimberley. Broome showcases some of the best Australia has to offer. Add it to your bucket list now.

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